Houston Christian University is committed to the ongoing assessment of all academic and administrative programs and units across the university. Academic and administrative assessment is an imperative aspect of our institution’s growth year-over-year, and allows for effective reflection, action planning, and development throughout the campus. Each year, the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations oversees the annual reporting of assessment reports that are documented within Xitracs. The assessment cycle follows the following format each year, although specific dates are updated each academic cycle to align with the academic calendar. August: The Director of Assessment and Academic Operations works alongside the SACSCOC Administrative and Academic Officers to prepare assessment training for all writers. Training is delivered during the Faculty Symposium (for academic writers) and during the first week of the fall semester (for administrative writers). Xitracs training is also provided for individuals that are new to assessment or would like a refresher on the software. In addition, training is provided for the academic and administrative review teams to provide guidance for the review process that takes place in October. September: During the month of September, writers actively work in Xitracs to report findings for the prior academic year and to set goals for the upcoming/current academic year. The report includes data from the prior year’s assessments as well as a detailed analysis on how the results can be used for growth and development. The plan includes goals for the new academic year, some of which are the same as or similar to the prior year, and some of which are new. All administrative units must identify an SPA (Strategic Plan Assessment) that aligns one or more of their departmental goals with the university’s strategic plan. In addition, academic and student support units (see below) must also identify at least one student learning outcome (SLO) for their department that shows direct student learning or achievement in their area. Academic units must also report on prior year data, but when building their plans, must ensure that all goals and assessments are linked directly to the program’s curriculum map and program outcomes. All of this data is housed within Xitracs. October: During the month of October, the review process is conducted. Roughly eight individuals from administrative units across campus and twelve full-time faculty assist in the review process of all assessments on campus. Reviewers are assigned a random group of assessments (non of which report to them directly) and a rubric to use to review all assessment documents. Reviewers are also advised to use the training materials from August/September, as needed. Reviewers provide feedback on all assessments assigned to them via a SharePoint folder that houses all assessment documents for the academic year. Once all reviews have taken place, the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations meets with review teams to review the team’s comments and to prepare a final report back to each writer requesting updates, clarifications, and changes, as applicable. The review team is not reviewing what is being assessed, but more so how units/areas are assessing their outcomes. It is the unit/department’s choice on what to assess each year. Once all assessments review meetings have taken place, the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations communicates with writers and supports necessary edits. By mid-November, the assessment process is completed. If you are interested in supporting the university’s annual assessment efforts or would like more information on assessment, please contact the Director of Assessment and Academic Operations directly.
